Bikers brave the cold to bring toys to kids

Monday

Dec 31, 2012 at 2:00 AM

This time of year, we have days when it's so brutally cold that no one would even think of bringing out a motorcycle, let alone go for a ride. Yeah, heated clothing and leather can make the ride more comfortable, but the biting cold can still go right through you. This was the kind of day riders who participated in the annual Moroney's Toy Run had to endure on Dec. 2.

Donna Kessler

This time of year, we have days when it's so brutally cold that no one would even think of bringing out a motorcycle, let alone go for a ride. Yeah, heated clothing and leather can make the ride more comfortable, but the biting cold can still go right through you. This was the kind of day riders who participated in the annual Moroney's Toy Run had to endure on Dec. 2.

Fifty to sixty bikers braved the biting cold and followed the New Windsor Fire Department firetruck, loaded with toys and bicycles donated by Christine and Mike Losardo, to the Family Health Center in Newburgh. There, 182 eager children awaited the arrival of Santa Ugly George. Santa held onto his hat as he rode to the center in the sidecar of a 1953 Panhead driven by Allen Rau. All were escorted by City of Newburgh Police, Village of Suffern Police, City of Yonkers Police and Town of Woodbury Police, all on motorcycles. There's just something about the look on kids' faces when they hear the rumbling coming down the street and then see all those bikes pulling in with Santa.

Moroney's thanks Orange County HOG members who work so hard helping to organize the event, Ted Doering of Motorcyclepedia who offered free admission to the museum to participants of the run, and Don Vura with Nationwide Auto Group.